Today in Soap Opera History (October 26)

1966: Dark Shadows' Barnabas was aged into an old man.
1982: General Hospital's Blackie jammed with Eddie (Sammy Davis Jr.).
1990: Another World's Vicky covered for Marley.
1992: As the World Turns' Holden didn't recognize Lily.

"More and more, I tend to read history. I often find it more up to date than the daily newspapers."
― Joe Murray

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1965: On Peyton Place, Leslie Harrington (Paul Langton) traveled to Boston to ask Martin Peyton (George Macready) for help in getting Rodney out of jail.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Dr. Julia Hoffman's (Grayson Hall) experiments with Barnabas Collins' (Jonathan Frid) blood went terribly awry and his youthful appearance reverted to that of a 175-year-old vampire. The horribly disfigured Barnabas accused Julia of having taken revenge on him after he rebuffed her romantic overtures. Julia denied the charge, but reveled in the fact that Barnabas had to cancel his pending rendezvous with Vicky.

1979: On As the World Turns, Tom (Tom Tammi) head back to Oakdale, while Lisa (Eileen Fulton) learned more about Bennett's past with Ruth at The Willows.

1979: On Dallas, Jock (Jim Davis) and J.R. (Larry Hagman) were ambushed during a hunting trip by a farmer Jock once strong-armed in business. While awaiting rescue, Jock confessed to J.R. he was married briefly before Miss Ellie (Barbara Bel Geddes) and later vowed to make amends with people he treated unfairly while building Ewing Oil. Meanwhile, Ellie had a lump in her breast examined.

1982: On General Hospital, Port Charles held a benefit event to save the Sports Center. For his first performance, Eddie Phillips (Sammy Davis Jr.) asked Blackie Parrish (John Stamos) to play drums.

1984: Rosemary Forsyth aired for the final time as Dominic in Santa Barbara. Dominic turned out to be Sophia Capwell, played by Judith McConnell.

1987:Another World debuted its computer-enhanced opening credits. The show's new theme song had already debuted earlier in the year. Another World used this opening, with actor updates along the way, until March 1996.

1987: Jane Sibbett aired for the final time as Jane Wilson on Santa Barbara.

1990: On Another World, Vicky Hudson (Anne Heche) lied to Ryan Harrison (Paul Michael Valley) that her twin sister, Marley, was asleep when he came looking for her after Jake McKinnon's shooting. While they were talking, Marley walked in the front door.

1992: On As the World Turns, Lily (Heather Rattray) was devastated when Holden (Jon Hensley) didn't remember her.

2005: On Passions, Harmony residents came to the church to mourn Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald (Galen Gering) at his funeral.

2006: On General Hospital, Robin (Kimberly McCullough) administered the experimental drug to Laura (Genie Francis), who later woke up and said Luke's (Anthony Geary) name.

2006: Austin Peck aired for the final time as Austin Reed in Days of our Lives.

2009: On As the World Turns, Jack (Michael Park) was horrified when he realized he had shot his brother, Brad (Austin Peck).